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Northwestern Tharsis Latent Outflow Activity MarsPreviously defined outflow channels, which are indicated by relict landforms similar to those observed on Earth, signify ancient catastrophic flood events on Mars. These conspicuous geomorphic features are some of the most remarkable yet profound discoveries made by geologists to date. These outflow channels, which debouched tremendous volumes of water into topographic lows such as Chryse, Utopia, Elysium, and Hellas Planitiae, may represent the beginning of warmer and wetter climatic periods unlike the present-day cold and dry Mars. In addition to the previously identified outflow channels, observations permitted by the newly acquired Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data have revealed a system of gigantic valleys, referred to as the northwestern slope valleys (NSV), that are located to the northwest of a huge shield volcano, Arsia Mons, western hemisphere of Mars. These features generally correspond spatially to gravity lows similar to the easternmost, circum-Chryse outflow channel systems. Geologic investigations of the Tharsis region suggest that the large valley system pre-dates the construction of Arsia Mons and its extensive associated lava flows of mainly Late Hesperian and Amazonian age and coincides stratigraphically with the early development of the circum-Chryse outflow channel systems that debouch into Chryse Planitia. This newly identified system, the NSV, potentially signifies the largest flood event(s) ever recorded for the solar system. Additional information is contained in original extended abstract.
Document ID
20010002439
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dohm, J. M.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Anderson, R. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Baker, V. R.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Ferris, J. C.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Hare, T. M.
(Geological Survey Flagstaff, AZ United States)
Strom, R. G.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Rudd, L.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Rice, J. W., Jr.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ United States)
Scott, D. H.
(Private)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2000
Publication Information
Publication: International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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